UW-Whitewater honored among 2020 Colleges of Distinction

June 05, 2020

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been named among the Colleges of Distinction — a national honor that recognizes campuses for exceptional teaching and dedication to student success.

“I am especially proud that we have been awarded the Equity and Inclusion badge,” said Chancellor Dwight C. Watson. “Diversity and inclusion are among UW-Whitewater’s values, and we strive to make this campus a place where all people belong, all people are celebrated, and all people are embraced for their inherent value. This recognition shows that our values are not only posted on our walls, they are walked in our halls.”

“As our university values highlight, all members of the Warhawk family share a duty of social responsibility,” said Kenny E. Yarbrough, chief equity, diversity and inclusion officer. “We work hard to create and maintain a safe learning, living and working environment for all identities in our communities.”

In addition to receiving the new honor and the campus-wide badge of distinction, in 2020 UW-Whitewater retained badges that highlight the university's excellence in business, education, career development and as a public institution in Wisconsin.

The Colleges of Distinction selection process consists of a review of each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and other criteria. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the four distinctions:

From left, Ameera Evans, from Milwaukee, and Juan Chavez and Kelsey Beaumont, both from Beloit, work together on a lab exercise in a biology class in the College of Integrated Studies on the UW-Whitewater at Rock County campus.

Lecturer Bethann Handzlik, left, of the Department of Art and Design walks among students and gives guidance as they work in a watercolor lesson.

Connor Moore, right, with Tyler Job, is a journalism major from Elgin, Illinois, who has been doing hands-on work in the broadcast booth since his freshman year on campus.

UW-Whitewater head volleyball coach Stacy Boudreau, lower right, holds her daughter Isabel and tosses candy along the parade route as the team takes part in the City of Whitewater’s annual city Independence Day parade.

Colleges of Distinction website >>

In 2019, UW-Whitewater received national recognition as the safest campus in Wisconsin, and the best value to earn a degree in the University of Wisconsin System.